Context: Monitoring the evolution of the shapeshifting H5N1 virus can add to the preparedness against another potential pandemic.
About H5N1 virus/Bird Flue:
Bird flu or avian influenza is a disease caused by avian influenza Type A viruses found naturally in wild birds worldwide.
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects birds.
Infrequently, the virus can infect mammals from birds, a phenomenon called spillover, and rarely can spread between mammals.
This subtype has caused a number of human infections through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments, and is often fatal.
Recent reports of H5N1 spread between mammals raise concerns about its potential to cause a human pandemic if it were to spill over and become transmissible among humans.
It can infect domestic poultry including chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs, cats, and tigers.
Types of avian influenza:
Avian Influenza type A viruses are classified based on two proteins on their surfaces – Hemagglutinin(HA) and Neuraminidase(NA).
There are about 18 HA subtypes and 11 NA subtypes.
Several combinations of these two proteins are possible e.g., H5N1, H7N2, H9N6, H17N10, etc.
Symptoms:
A virus infections in humans have ranged from mild to severe influenza-like illness.
Preventing H5N1 spillovers and outbreaks requires a combination of measures including:
vaccination of poultry,
safe disposal of dead birds,
wearing personal protective equipment when handling birds,
quarantine and culling of affected animals, and
improved surveillance and monitoring of H5N1 in birds and other animals.
molecular surveillance of H5N1
Genome sequencing can be employed to monitor the emergence of new subtypes, and keep a close watch on mutations and virulence factors that may increase the ability to infect humans.
